Money Matters: Are smart meters worth it?

Smart meters have been getting rolled out across the country for some years now, but not everyone has been keen to make the switch.

While you don’t have to get one if you really don’t want to, there are a number of advantages to moving to a smart meter.

These modern devices replace traditional gas and electricity meters, automatically sending readings to your supplier and giving you real-time insights into your energy consumption.

One of the biggest frustrations with traditional meters is estimated billing. With a smart meter, your supplier receives accurate, up-to-date readings, so you only pay for what you actually use—no more surprise bills!

Smart meters come with an in-home display (IHD) that shows how much energy you're using in pounds and pence. This helps you spot trends and adjust your habits – perhaps by reducing heating when not needed or limiting how often you use high-energy appliances like dishwashers and tumble driers.

When you can see exactly how much electricity energy you’re using in real time, you’re more likely to make small changes that add up to big savings. Many users find that simply being more aware of their energy use helps them cut costs.

Smart meters also mean no more crawling into awkward spaces to read your meter, or waiting in for a technician to visit. Smart meters send readings automatically, so your bills stay accurate with no effort on your part.

If you’re looking for a better energy deal, having a smart meter makes it easier to switch providers without dealing with meter compatibility issues. In fact, many of the best energy deals on the market now require you to have a smart meter.

Using a smart meter can also help the environment. By monitoring energy use, households can cut down on waste, and suppliers can better manage demand, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

For most people, the benefits outweigh any drawbacks. While some worry about data privacy, energy suppliers follow strict regulations to keep your information secure.

However if you really don’t want a smart meter, you can say no when your supplier offers one –at least until your traditional meter needs to be replaced. At this point you may be able to pay to have a replacement traditional meter put in, and if this isn’t possible, you can ask for your smart meter to be put into ‘dumb mode’ which stops it sending automatic readings.

If you want more information about switching to a smart meter or how to get one, you can contact your energy supplier.

Wrekin customers can also contact our Money Matters team to access our free energy advice service.